Traffic-regulation system



Nov. 8,1927. I 1,648,629

. E. S. TAYLOR ET AL TRAFFIC REGULATION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 15, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 1 fzverzzora- Filed Aug.15, 1925 E. s. TAYLOR ET AL wmwmaaeumnon SYSTEM Nov; 8, 1927.

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NW0 8%; W2 70 E. s. TAYLQR ET AL TRAFFIC REGULATION SYSTEM 6 Sheets==$het 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1925 Nov. 8,' 192 7.

E. S TAYLOR ET AL TRAFFIC REGULATION SYSTEM Filed Aug.i3. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 8 192 7. T

E. S. TAYLOR ET AL TRAFFIC REGULATION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 13. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

EUGENE S. TAYLOR AND HUGH E. YOUNG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRAFFIC-REGULATION SYSTEM.

Application filed August 13, 1925. Serial No. 49,987.

This invention relates to improvements in traffic regulation systems, and more especially to such a system adapted for regulating vehicular traffic, such as automobiles, street cars, wagons and the like at and between street intersections.

@ne of the features of our invention is the provision of signaling means at an inter section of streets whereby traiiic approaching such intersection from one direction only is permitted to move; the tratlic approaching such intersection from all other directions being signalled to stop. Another feature is that the tratlic permitted to move into such intersection is allowed to proceed in a straight forward direction and also per-- mitted, if desired, to turn either to the right or the left.

Another feature of our invention is the by traffic is permitted to enter such intersection from one direction only (right and left-hand turns and straight ahead being permitted) for a certain interval of time;

' then from another direction only for a certain interval of time; and so on during a complete cycle for traflic approaching such intersection from every direction.

Another, feature of our invention is the provision of means for permitting trailic moving in one direction to enter alternate intersections on a certain street; permitting the traffic on the same street moving in the opposite direction also to enter the alternate intersections on said street; said intersections into which traflic is per mitted to enter from opposite directions being staggered with respect to each other.

4 Another feature of our invention is the 40 provision of means for alternating the'signals back and forth between the alternate street intersections. For example. at one intersection there may be permitted to move first east trafiic only and later west traffic 4; only; north and south-bound traliic being provision of means at the intersection where-1.

of apparatus and signaling devices. For example, the traflic at one intersection can be regulated by a single signaling apparatus placed in the center of said intersection, or with four or more of""said signals, placed at the right hand side of the oncoming traffic at each corner of intersection. F or the purpose of illustration, in this application, we have shown four separate signals at each in tersection, but it is to be understood that we are not to be limited herein by such showing.

Although we have shown herein one particular kind of signal or signaling device adapted to be used for carrying out our invention, and a certain means of operation thereof, it is to be understood that we do not intend to be limited thereby, as it is obvious that any kind of suitable signals can be employed and any method of operation used. For example, there may be independent operating units such as clock-work mechanism and the like in connection with each signal or group of signals at an intersection,

point of-the compass, and to the directions I northeast, southwest, and the like, in order to indicate directions of travel. It is to be understood, however, that the use of such terms is in no manner a limitation of our invention; such terms being used merely in order to indicate difi'erent directions of travel, or locations of streets, in order to bring out the relation of one to the other.

Other features and advantages of our invention will appear more fully as we proceed with our specification.

Inthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 indicates the movement of trafiic, as regulated by our system, at intersection of two streets; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing an intersect-ion of three streets; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View showing the movement of traflic at street intersections in a certain district during the first interval of time in a complete cycle of operation, including four intervals; Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the movement of traflic during the second interval; Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the movement of traffic during the third interval; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing, the

movement of traflic during the fourth inter- .val of said cycle; Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram showing the wiring connections to the signaling devices at a plurality of street intersections in a district; Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram showing the connections between the signaling devices and the timing commutator; Fig. 9 is a view in front elevation of a signal post, and Fig. 10 is a view of the same in side elevation.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a typical intersection of two streets at right angles, for example, the north and south street 20 and the east and west street 21. 22 indicates the curbs. 23 is a band or line marking the center of the street. This band or line forms no part of our present invention and may or may not be used, as desired. Such-a band or line is frequently painted in the center of the street in order to more clearly mark 0d the two sides of the street. This band is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for the purpose of convenience in order to more clearly'indicate the two sides of the street. In fact, all of the views of the drawings, with the exception of Figs. 9 and 10 are largely diagrammatic. Likewise, there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a cross-bar 24: just in front of the street intersection for traffic approaching such intersection from each direction. This cross-bar may or may not be painted on the street as desired. It is shown in the drawings in order to more clearly indicate the point at which oncoming traflic is supposed to stop when not given the Go ahead signal.

25 indicates in general a signaling device such as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. In Figs. 1 and 2 such signaling devices are indicated diagrammatically, the letters R, Y and G standing for red, yellow and green, respectively. By reference to Figs. 9 and 10 it will be seen that each of these signaling devices has three lenses or lamps containing the words Go, Slow and Stop. It is to be understood that the Go signal shows through a green light, the Slow through a. yellow light and the Stop through a red light. In other words, in the diagrammatic viewsof Figs. 1 and 2, the illumination of the R indicates a red light with the word Stop, likewise, the G indicates a green light with the word Go, and the Y a yellow light with the word Slow.

The showing of.the yellow or Slow signal forms no necessary part of our invention. This is merely a warning signal to indicate to drivers that the signal is about to change from green to red, in order to give them a chance to-come to a stop. O viously, without detracting from the spirit of our invention, such warning signal may be dispensed with and the signal changed abruptly from Go to Stop, or an interval of time elapse between the two without any signal to give the drivers 9. chance to come to a stop. Throughout this description, therefore, there will not be much reference to this warning signal, it being understood that the same may be used or not, as desired. y l

In Figs. 1 and 2 the rectangles 26 diagrammatically indicate vehicles of any type as, for example, automobiles, street cars, wagons and the like. \Vhere the arrows are used they indicate the direction of travel of the vehicle; it being understood that those vehicles without arrows desire to enter the street intersection but are stopped at the bar use of four separate time intervals during one complete cycle ofoperation. For example, the complete cycle maybe 100 seconds consisting of four intervals of 25 seconds each. At a typical intersection of two streets as shown in Fig. 1, the trafic during the first interval (as shown in the figure) may, be permitted to enter the street intersection in an easterly direction only, the

north-bound, south'bound and west-bound traffic being halted at the bars 2% by means of Stop signals shown at the three signalmg devices 25 as indicated by the diverging broken lines from the letter R. The east-- erly moving trafic is permitted to go by the signal 25 showing the green light or Go. It is to be particularly noted that-the easterly bound trafic which is'permitted to enter the intersection may move straight ahead easterly, turn to the right to go south, or turn to the left to go north. Permitting of left-hand turns is one of the important features of our invention. The west-bound traific being halted, such left-hand turns may be easily and freely made. Heretofore,

in other systems, it has been customary to permlt the movement of traflic in opposite directions at one time at one intersection. When this is done, however, it is diflicultor impossible to make left-hand turns. Wherever such a turn is made, trafiic approaching from the opposite direction must be halted. Slowing up of the vehicles intendingtomake the left-hand turn also blocks all oncoming vehicles behind it. With the use of our in vention, such left-hand turns are easily and freely made without hindrance to any moving traffic.

It is believed that no detailed description of Fig. 2 need be given, since the operation of. the invention as disclosed therein is probably clear from the description givenin regard to Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, however, there is also shown cutting through the'intersection a northeast-southwest street. Two extra signaling devices 25 are provided for this street and the operation of this. system at such intersection is the same in principle as that described above. Traffic is permitted to enter the intersection from one direction only and may go straight ahead or turn to the right or the left. At such an intersec tion, however, the cycle of operation-will turn further to the left to go west. In otherwords, the trafiic may move straight ahead or turn off of such intersection into 'any street entering the same.

diagrammatically the intersections of north and south streets in a given district, the four views illustrating the four intervals during any one cycle of operation. These views show the coordination of the signals in such district. The broken lines 27 with the aris showing Go and in all cases where it is blocked at the bar 29, such signaling device is showing 'Stop.

In Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive, for convenience,

.I have indicated the east and west streets by A, B. C, etc. Thenorth and south streets are indicated respectively by X, Y, Z, W.

By reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that durin the first interval north and south-bound traffic on .all streets in the districtv is'stopped. East-bound traffic on all streets in the district, as A and B is permitted to move at alternate streets as. X and Z, being stopped at alternate streets as Y and W. At the sametime, west-bound traffic 'on these streets is stopped at alternate streets as X'and Z being permitted to move at alternate streets as Y and W. It is to'be noted that the alternate streets X, Z and Y, W, at which the east and west-bound traffic is re-i spectively stopped and permitted'to go, are staggered with respect to each other.

By reference to Fig. 4, it will be seen that bound trafiic on all streets in the district is stopped, north-bound 'tral'lic on all streets in the district being permitted to move at streets A and C and stopped at 15, while south-bound trailic is stopped at A and C and permitted to move at it.

i during the second interval east and west- During the third interval as shown in Fig.

5, north and south-bound traffic on all streets in the district is again stopped, west-bound traffic on all streets in the district being permitted to move at X and Z and stopped at Y and W', while east-btiund trafiic is stopped at X and Z and -W.

As shown in Fig.6 during the fourth interval, east and. west-bound trailicv on all streets in the district is stopped, north-bound traflic on all streets in the district being-per- .mitted to move at B and stopped at A and C, while south-,boundtraflic is stopped at B and permitted to move at A and G.

Figs. 7 and 8 show the wiring diagrams for the signaling apparatus. In Fig. 8 thc posts are showndiagramatically, and it will and permitted to move at Y be seen that each one has three lights therein. 2 There is a single return wire 30 for each post, In Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive we have shown and three lead-in wires, one for each light. It will be seen therefore that four wires are used for the operation of each post. For convenience, the four Wires leading to a post are assembled into a cable and these cables, for convenience, are referred to in the drawings as No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4.

It is obvious that all the lights which show the sameduring one-interval of time may be attached to the same cable. For convenience,

in Fi g. 7, the four signals at each intersection are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. In Fig. 7, the singleline leading from each signal indicates a cable of four Wires and it will be seen that these cables are all brought toget'her and numbered N o. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4. The respective signals are attached to the different cables so that all the sign'als showing the same during a. certain interval of time are attached to the same cable, It will be seen thatin. carrying out the operation-of the signals during the four intervals during one complete cycle of operation as shown in Figs. ,to6, inclusive, all the signals marked 1 in Fig. 7 will show the from the spirit of our invention. As shown *in Fig. 8, the ground wire 30 from each. cable is led to one terminal-31 of the generator 32. The remaining three wires of each cable are led .to the contact brushes or shoes 33.

iaq

' val the 4 signals will be green.

indicates diagrammatically acylindrical commutator here shown as developed. That is, the cylindrical surface of the commutator as shown in the drawing is laid out flat, in order to give a better view of the same. Any suitable means such as the pinion wheels 35 and 36 may be used for rotating the drum i or commutator 34. The drum 34 has wound about it copper strips all connected by means of the wires 37 to the wire 38. leading to the other terminal of the generator 32. The copper strip 38 is adapted'to be brushed by the shoe 33 connected to the wire of. cable No. 1 leading to the green lights of the 1 signals. Likewise the strip 39 is brushed by the shoe or brush 33 connected to th wire of cable No. 1 leading to the y low lights of the 1 signals. Likewise the copper bar 40 will operate the red-lights of the l signals. .In the same manner, copper bars are provided for'operating all the lights of all the signals. It will be seen that the strips are so arranged on the drum 34 that asit rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow during the first of four intervals of a complete cycle of operation, the 1signals .will show green, during the second interval the 2 signals will shpw green, during the third interval the 3 signals will'be green and during the fourth inter- Durin the remaining intervals, except as just staterf, they will all show red. It is to be noted" also that each signal will show yellow for a short space of time before changing from green to red. It is to be understood, of

course, that the view of the copper strips on the drum 34 is a development thereof. For example, the strip 43 operatinglhe red lights on No.2 cable is shown in the drawing as being in two parts. It is, however, actually one piece, likewise, the strip 46 operating the 3 reds. v

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore,-in the 'construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it'is our intention to *clrim all novelty inherent in our invention as broadly as possible in View of the prior art.

Whatwe claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Signaling apparatus at. a four-corner cross intersection of streets, said apparatus including means for. giving signals to in? dicate Go or Stop to oncoming traflic; andmeans' for operating said signalling apparatus to indicate alternately: Go to oncoming trafiic from a single direction only, and at the same time Stop to oncoming :trafiic from all remaining directions; nd;

then Stop to oncoming trafiic from said single direction.

2. Signaling apparatus at a four-corner cross intersection of streets, said apparatus .including means for giving signals to indicateGo or Stop tooncoming traffic; and means "for operating said signaling apparatus in cycles of operation, each cycle including an interval of time for oncoming traific from each direction, to indicate in sequence Go to oncoining'traflic from one and a different direction only during each interval, and at the same time Stop to onvcoming traflic from all remaining directions;

0nd interval, then Go to oncoming traflic from a third direction only during the third interval, and then Go to oncoming trafiic' from a fourth direction only during the fourth interval, said means operating said signaling apparatus to indicate Stop to all oncoming traffic during each interval ex cept that from the one direction permitted to Go.

4. Signaling apparatus at afour-corner cross intersection of streets, saidapparatus including means, for giving signals'to indicate Go to oncoming trafiic from one direction only and at the same time Stop to oncoming trafiic from all the remaining directions; and means for operating said apparatus in cycles of operation, each cycle in-'. cluding an interval for oncoming traflic from each direction, to indicate in sequence Go to oncoming tra'fiic from a different direction during each of said intervals.

5. In a district having intersecting northsouth and east-west streets, signaling appa ratus at each intersection including means for giving signals to indicate Go or Stop to oncomingtrafiic; and means for operating said signaling apparatus in cycles of operation, each cycle includin at least three intervals, to indicate; during one interval, Go to eastbound traffic at alternate intersections, Go to westbound trafiic at alternate intervening intersections, and Stop to allanorth and south-bound traffic; during another interval, Go to north and south-bound trafiic, and Stop to all east and west-bound traflic; and during another interval, Go to east-bound traflic at alter nate intersections reverse; from those of the first named interval, Go to west-bound trafiic at alternate intervening intersections,

and Stop to all north and south-bound traffic.

6. In a district having intersecting northsouth and cast-west streets; signaling apparatus at each intersection including means for giving signals to indicate.Go to onconiing traflic fromeach direction, and Stop to oncoming traffic from the other three directions at the-same time; and means for operating said signaling apparatus in cycles of operation, each cycle including fourintervals, to indicate; during one interval Go to oncoming traffic from the east at alternate intersections on each east-West street, and Go to oncoming trafiic from the west at alternate intervening intersections on each of such streets; during another interval,

Go to oncoming trafiic from the north at alternate intersections on each north-south street, and Go to oncoming traffic from the south at alternate intervening intersecvals of time until traflic ,has been permitted I all north and south-bound traflic; during another interval, Go to north and southbound traflic, and Stop to all east and west-bound traflic; and during another interval, Go to eastsbound traflic at alternate intersections reversefrom those of the first named interval, Go to west-bound traffic at alternate intervening intersections, and Stop to all north and south-bound traffic.

10. The method of controlling trafiic in tions on eaclr of such streets; during anothen a district having intersecting north-south interval, Go to oncoming traffic from the east at alternate intersections on each eastwest street, such intersections on each street being the reverse from those at which G0 was indicated during the first mentioned interval and Go to oncoming traffic from the west at alternate intervenln intersections on each of-sueh streets; and uring another sections.

7 The method of controlling traffic at a four-corner cross intersection of streets which consists of first simultaneously signaling traflic to move from one direction only and to halt in all other directions, maintaining such signals for a predetermined interval of time, and thereafter changing such signals to restrain traflic from said first mentioned direction for a predetermined intervalof time, and then repeating the operation.

8. The method of controlling traffic at an intersection of streets which consists of first simultaneously signaling trafiic to moverfrom one direction only and to halt in all other directions, maintaining such signals for a [n'edetermined interval of time. and thereafter successively changing such si nals to and east-west streets in cycles of operation, each cycle including four intervals, comprising; indicating durin one interval Go to oncoming traflic from the east at alternate intersections on each east-west street, and

Go to oncoming trafiic from the West at alternate intervening intersections on each of said streets; indlcating during another interval Go to oncoming traifie from the north at alternate intersections. on each north-south street, and Go to oncoming trafiie from the south at alternate intervening intersections on each of said streets; indicating during another interval Go to oncoming trafiic rom the east at alternate intersections on each east-west street, such intersections on each street being the reverse from those at which G0 was indicated during the first-mentioned interval, and Go to oncoming trafiic from the west at alternate intervening intersections on each of such streets; and indicating during another interval Go to oncoming traflie from the north at alternate intersections on each north-south-street such'intersections on each streetbeing the reverse from those at which G0 was indicated during the sec nd-mentioned interval, and Go to oncoming traflic from the south at alternate intervening intersections; and at each intersection when 

